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For the second time this season Tan attended a game at Cardiff City Stadium and was paraded around the pitch before the game against Millwall, which ended 0-0.

He was given a rapturous ovation by many of the 17,000 home supporters inside the ground, performing the customary 'ayatollah' and stopping to pose for selfies.

It was far more reminiscent of the kind of scene from a few years back when the Bluebirds had stormed into the Premier League back in 2013. In those days, and despite the red rebrand, Tan remained popular and could be seen posing with Malky Mackay as Cardiff fans savoured success.

The scenes were reminiscent of Cardiff City's promotion season in 2012/13 (Image: PA)

Of course, we know it went wrong after that. Many fans started blaming the Malaysian for the Bluebirds' slide from the Premier League to mid-table Championship obscurity and the issue of the red shirts became toxic.

But it seems Tan has ridden out the storm. And while there will always be a section of the fan base that will never forgive him, the evidence from Saturday is that his popularity is back with the majority.

After making his second appearance of the campaign, following his August visit to watch Neil Warnock's side destroy Aston Villa 3-0, it seems Tan's belief in his current manager and the team's recent success on the pitch is bringing owner and supporters closer together again.

The Millwall game might have underwhelmed, with Cardiff some way off their best form by this season's standards, but the scenes before the encounter showed a club that is harmonious again.

Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan at the ground ahead of the start of the match (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

Now the club hierarchy are again reaping the rewards of installing a manager with Championship know-how who has a good chance of leading the Bluebirds back to the top flight.

Tan, who watched the game alongside the club's CEO Ken Choo and chairman Mehmet Dalman in the grandstand, won't reflect on a particularly memorable match. But he will know the formula is just right with Warnock's steady hand on the tiller and the fans in good spirits.

If the team can deliver on Warnock's promise to push for promotion this season, the Malaysian's smile will only grow wider.

And, clearly enjoying the attention, you're likely to see him down pitchside a lot more often if the Bluebirds continue to push for the Premier League.

Vincent Tan and Neil Warnock wave to fans before the game against Aston Villa. (Image: Peter Thomas.)